All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I know that as a beginner, cost is more of an influence that components. But I would say that if you are going to get a hard tail (which I have), avoid anything with a Suntour shock. Those things are the worst. I’ve seen the lockouts break off because they are cheap plastic caps, and seals blow with even the softest of riding. The springs shocks are absolutely horrible. The front wheel always felt like it was carved through mashed potatoes.

For a couple hundred more you can get a much better bicycle and the shock will be a vast improvement. But still get something with a lockout feature.

Just my $0.02

Agreed! I have the chesters on my X-Cal8. I’m not a hard rider and they are very grip-y.

If he’s looking for clipless, id say anything with a platform cage in case he wants to go with regular shoes for mild riding and stay from pedals like Eggbeaters or with small platforms. Those break all the time and will give you hotspots, gaucho.

 

Im a pretty new beginner now haha, when I had the enduro I went on maybe 3 or 4 rides. Nothing extreme just local trails/dirt roads. What would you guys suggest? I just keep reading this bike the best bang of the buck.

 

I second this notion, I run RaceFace Chesters on both my DH and Enduro bikes!

 

Have you looked at Fezzari bikes? They fly under the radar but seem to have good reviews.

https://www.fezzari.com

https://www.singletracks.com/blog/m...peak-review-affordable-aggressive-trail-bike/

https://reviews.mtbr.com/fezzari-cascade-peak-pro-review

 

Anybody have input on the best freeride shoes? Pic for attention:

 

Taco-related, and sort of bike-related (it’s got a rack) ... I snapped this 3rd gen in Moab today. Note US Mail markings over the TRD stickers.

 

More bike-related than my previous post, here’s my wife on the Rocky Top trail outside Moab. Great mix of slickrock, rocky singletrack and a bit of flowy dirt and 2 track on the 7-Up return (downhill). A good 10 mile ride for our last day here, than back to California tomorrow.


Brought our own bikes in the Taco.

 

This might sound crazy. But I ride nike metcon. They are horrible to walk or run in but they work great for lifting or riding with flat pedals. My pedals are raceface aeffect.

 

I heard about them too. Might check out Marin as well. If I increase the budget to around 1000-1500 anything recommendation? Something I won't outgrow quick and is aggressive

 

5.10s I've been running their freeriders for a few years now, and they've be great.

 

Depending on what size frame you need, I’m selling a Trek Stache 7 that’s in that price range and description.

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2548954/

 

Are you running the regular 1up that’s the 1.25” hitch with adapter, or the super duty 2” hitch?

 

Santa Cruz chameleon is a little above that mark but you can do just about anything with that bike.

 

2” super duty, 2 bike, in the stock 3rd gen Tacoma receiver.

 

That’s ones nice. Also seen the salsa timber jack at rei

 

I’m a large in most bikes. 6’0 close to 200

 

My son is 6’1 and about 190. He recently bought a large Salsa Timberjack. Seemed like a good value and spec. 27.5+ and Shimano components.

 

Five tens man. Nothing outgrips them. I prefer the Freerider Pros, but the new Impact pros are supposed to be a bit more rugged and stiff.
For DH use, I’d go Impact, for everything else Freeriders.

 

Hah! I have that same license plate frame! Never seen one out in the wild before!